Lunch with Santa slated for Dec. 18

The end of Thanksgiving signifies the beginning of Christmas activities, one of which is the local Lunch with Santa, now in its fourth year.

The Lunch will take place on Dec. 18 from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m at the National Guard Armory.

Two local women organize the event, which can confuse people who are used to organizations, businesses or charities putting on this sort of activity.

"We're not an organization," said Tammy Folck, one of the two people who put the event together.

She said that the response from children is why she and her partner continue to put on the lunch.

"It's addicting once you see the looks on their faces," she said.

Barbara Hill, the other event organizer, said that kids will receive a variety of different items at the event, and have a chance to meet Santa Claus.

"We give each kid a bag and they go around the room," Hill said. "Each table will have something they give the children for free. Santa gives out stuffed toys to each child."

Hill said that they won't be taking pictures this year, but that people are welcome to bring cameras to have pictures taken with Santa Clause.

Hill said donations from local businesses are how they receive the items the kids get.

"It's all donations," Hill said. "Everything we have there is donated."

A large number of local businesses have helped to put on this event through those donations.

There will also be face painting, balloons, and Santa's Workshop, where people can buy any number of gifts. The gifts can be wrapped for free.

There will also be a drawing for presents such as bikes and scooters, and food at the lunch. Kids can eat pizza and cookies while there.

The organizers are asking for a donation to take part in the event, which will go to the Johnson Nichols Health Clinic.

"I never tell anybody how much they have to give and if they come in and say 'I don't have anything to give,' they still get in," Hill said. "We've never turned anybody away."

Folck and Hill said they still need some items for the event, including wrapping paper, tape, ribbons, bows, 2-liter-bottles of pop, small toothpaste packets, toothbrushes and small toys.

"There's always stuff that we need," Hill said. "Any little gifts or little toys that people want to give that we can drop in the bags when the kids come around."

Anyone who wants to donate anything to the event can call Folck at 720-3917 or Hill at (317) 270-0442.

The Greencastle National Guard Armory is located at 401 N. Arlington St.